@Bryson
If I could make a suggestion regarding the format of your post. It's easier to read longer posts when there is double-spacing every few sentences or so.
One thing about drug / alcohol addition -- it can impair the person's reasoning a bit.
Groups can call themselves "Christian" without 'being' Christian. Lots of groups are friendly with everyone -- as we All should be. But 'being friendly' Doesn't necessarily mean they are teaching that Jesus Christ is the Son of God -- That He died on the cross for our sins and rose again bodily.
One of the problems with a lot of the 'good groups' is that their efforts at witnessing is a 'good work'. The more good works they Do, the better place they'll have in heaven. They have Just enough Bible to make everything they say sound okay. But they add their leaders' ideas To Bible. The JW's usually dress in black slacks and a white shirt and their women pretty close to that. They always go two-by-two and have their own church's tracts / magazines, etc. The only problem is that what they believe / teach is Not Scriptural. It Does sound good on the surface, but underneath that surface is man-made teaching rather than Bible.
It's Also been said that lots of their converts / J.W. and Mormon church/ are from Baptist backgrounds. Because Lots of Baptists rely on what their pastor teaches and don't read their Bible on their own. And the RCC has the priest as the Final authority.
It may sound like I'm 'bad-mouthing' denominations -- but it's more a warning. You sound like a person who wants to please everyone. You go to the various churches because you have friends who go there and you learn a little bit of good from each one. While that's probably true, the little bit you might gain -- well -- is it worth all the false doctrine you're getting along with it?
An idea -- to think about -- you said that you're planning to go talk with a woman preacher -- she's a mamma-type -- every one loves her. Well -- that may well be -- she has a great, warm personality. But what is she teaching? And if she knows her Bible -- the Biblical qualifications for a pastor is to be the husband of one wife. A woman can't fill that qualification preaching to a mixed congregation. Mixed meaning -- both men and women. And she might be a better teacher than some men preachers.
Many years ago i started going to a neighborhood Bible study during the week. It was a woman about my age -- married, but She was the pastor. She was very good with a small group -- had everyone in their Bible -- took turns reading passages and asking / answering questions. There was only one elderly man in the group. So it was basically a women's Bible study group. I enjoyed it. But when a couple of the ladies asked if I'd go with them to the Sunday morning church service, I politely said No. That I go to the Baptist Church. This was a Methodist Church. It was the Only Methodist church in the small town. I'd shared after a Bible study meeting -- with the lady pastor -- why I wouldn't be going to hear her preach. She'd said that the coming Sunday she was going to be sharing about a really good inspirational book she'd found. She was encouraging all of us to come hear about it. (not the Bible).
She Also shared that the following week she wouldn't be doing Bible study -- I asked why? She said her son and daughter-in-law were coming to visit, I suggested she might invite them along. She looked at me and said -- my son was brought up Methodist but married a Baptist lady. The Baptist's don't believe in women preachers so they won't come hear me preach.
There are Many women who are gifted Bible teachers and Biblically they Are to teach other women and children. But there's Also the 'modern' idea that lots of churches are practicing -- that of ordaining women Anyway and letting them preach to mixed groups Anyway. They don't really care What the Bible teaches about some 'modern' concepts that are in today's society. Biblical morality and ethics are being allowed to 'go down the drain' -- in favor of 'allowing' all kinds of sin to creep into the church. And mostly it's the congregation that pay the pastor. And some of the more up-to-date Bible colleges are getting away From teaching Bible to their students.
Anyway -- the best thing is to be Bible on your own during the week and find a church that preaches God's Word / His authority. Where Christian's are Growing Christians. Out-reach into the community with Gospel unto Salvation.
And, yes, there Are lots of 'good' churches with lots of 'good' people in them. Settle down to just One of them.
If I could make a suggestion regarding the format of your post. It's easier to read longer posts when there is double-spacing every few sentences or so.
One thing about drug / alcohol addition -- it can impair the person's reasoning a bit.
Groups can call themselves "Christian" without 'being' Christian. Lots of groups are friendly with everyone -- as we All should be. But 'being friendly' Doesn't necessarily mean they are teaching that Jesus Christ is the Son of God -- That He died on the cross for our sins and rose again bodily.
One of the problems with a lot of the 'good groups' is that their efforts at witnessing is a 'good work'. The more good works they Do, the better place they'll have in heaven. They have Just enough Bible to make everything they say sound okay. But they add their leaders' ideas To Bible. The JW's usually dress in black slacks and a white shirt and their women pretty close to that. They always go two-by-two and have their own church's tracts / magazines, etc. The only problem is that what they believe / teach is Not Scriptural. It Does sound good on the surface, but underneath that surface is man-made teaching rather than Bible.
It's Also been said that lots of their converts / J.W. and Mormon church/ are from Baptist backgrounds. Because Lots of Baptists rely on what their pastor teaches and don't read their Bible on their own. And the RCC has the priest as the Final authority.
It may sound like I'm 'bad-mouthing' denominations -- but it's more a warning. You sound like a person who wants to please everyone. You go to the various churches because you have friends who go there and you learn a little bit of good from each one. While that's probably true, the little bit you might gain -- well -- is it worth all the false doctrine you're getting along with it?
An idea -- to think about -- you said that you're planning to go talk with a woman preacher -- she's a mamma-type -- every one loves her. Well -- that may well be -- she has a great, warm personality. But what is she teaching? And if she knows her Bible -- the Biblical qualifications for a pastor is to be the husband of one wife. A woman can't fill that qualification preaching to a mixed congregation. Mixed meaning -- both men and women. And she might be a better teacher than some men preachers.
Many years ago i started going to a neighborhood Bible study during the week. It was a woman about my age -- married, but She was the pastor. She was very good with a small group -- had everyone in their Bible -- took turns reading passages and asking / answering questions. There was only one elderly man in the group. So it was basically a women's Bible study group. I enjoyed it. But when a couple of the ladies asked if I'd go with them to the Sunday morning church service, I politely said No. That I go to the Baptist Church. This was a Methodist Church. It was the Only Methodist church in the small town. I'd shared after a Bible study meeting -- with the lady pastor -- why I wouldn't be going to hear her preach. She'd said that the coming Sunday she was going to be sharing about a really good inspirational book she'd found. She was encouraging all of us to come hear about it. (not the Bible).
She Also shared that the following week she wouldn't be doing Bible study -- I asked why? She said her son and daughter-in-law were coming to visit, I suggested she might invite them along. She looked at me and said -- my son was brought up Methodist but married a Baptist lady. The Baptist's don't believe in women preachers so they won't come hear me preach.
There are Many women who are gifted Bible teachers and Biblically they Are to teach other women and children. But there's Also the 'modern' idea that lots of churches are practicing -- that of ordaining women Anyway and letting them preach to mixed groups Anyway. They don't really care What the Bible teaches about some 'modern' concepts that are in today's society. Biblical morality and ethics are being allowed to 'go down the drain' -- in favor of 'allowing' all kinds of sin to creep into the church. And mostly it's the congregation that pay the pastor. And some of the more up-to-date Bible colleges are getting away From teaching Bible to their students.
Anyway -- the best thing is to be Bible on your own during the week and find a church that preaches God's Word / His authority. Where Christian's are Growing Christians. Out-reach into the community with Gospel unto Salvation.
And, yes, there Are lots of 'good' churches with lots of 'good' people in them. Settle down to just One of them.
